Key on Members Bills

Danya Levy at Stuff reports:

Key, who is in Jakarta on a trade mission, said he had discussed the use of the veto with English, who made the announcement while the prime minister was on holiday with his family.

Everyone acknowledged paid parental leave was important for mothers and families.

“It’s an important time they bond with their children. Everyone acknowledges having more time with their infants would be an important thing to support.”

However, the Government’s number one priority was getting its books back to surplus.

“We think when the Government’s balance sheet is in order, that provides greater strength for families overall because it is not just paid parental leave we support; it’s Working For Families, it’s access to early childhood education and many other initiatives.”

The reality is that surpluses give you options, deficits just give you debt. Borrowing money to fund extending paid parental leave is not sustainable.

Meanwhile, Key has indicated he would support a Green members’ bill to introduce a record of lobbyists who work at Parliament.

“I don’t think any Government has done as much in terms of introduced transparency into Parliament as we have in the past three-and-a-half years. There’s much greater transparency in terms of MPs’ expenses and the likes.”

Key said he was not “fundamentally opposed” to having a register.

“That’s a matter for our caucus to consider but in principle I’m not opposed to it potentially going to a select committee.”

I’m not a clairvoyant, but I predict National will vote for the bill at first reading 🙂